make out
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++make out → make out at make1(PHRASAL VERB)
make out
make out phrasal verb (see also make)
1. SEE/HEAR make something ↔ out to be just able to see or hear something:
He could just make out a dark shape moving towards him.
make out who/what etc
I couldn’t make out what he was saying.
2. UNDERSTAND SOMETHING make something ↔ out to understand something, especially the reason why something has happened
make out what/how/why etc
I couldn’t make out what I had done to annoy her.
As far as I can make out , he has never been married.
3. UNDERSTAND SOMEBODY make somebody ↔ out [usually in questions and negatives] to understand someone’s character and the way they behave:
Stuart’s a strange guy – I can’t make him out at all.
4. WRITE CHEQUE ETC make something ↔ out to write something such as a bill or cheque:
She was making out a list of people to invite.
The book gives advice on making out a will.
make something ↔ out to
Make the cheque out to ‘Grays Ltd’.
5. SAY/PRETEND make somebody/something ↔ out to say that something is true when it is not:
The situation was never as bad as the media made out.
make out (that)
She always tried to make out that I was wrong and she was right.
make somebody/something out to be something
He makes me out to be some sort of idiot.
6. make out a case (for something) to find good reasons that prove something or show why you need something:
We made out a case for hiring another assistant.
7. SUCCEED especially American English to succeed or progress in a particular way
SYN get on:
How did you make out this morning?
8. SEX informal especially American English to kiss and touch someone in a sexual way
9. make out like a bandit American English informal to get or win a lot of money:
The lawyers made out like bandits.
make out phrasal verb (see also make)
1. SEE/HEAR make something ↔ out to be just able to see or hear something:
make out who/what etc
2. UNDERSTAND SOMETHING make something ↔ out to understand something, especially the reason why something has happened
make out what/how/why etc
3. UNDERSTAND SOMEBODY make somebody ↔ out [usually in questions and negatives] to understand someone’s character and the way they behave:
4. WRITE CHEQUE ETC make something ↔ out to write something such as a bill or cheque:
make something ↔ out to
5. SAY/PRETEND make somebody/something ↔ out to say that something is true when it is not:
make out (that)
make somebody/something out to be something
6. make out a case (for something) to find good reasons that prove something or show why you need something:
7. SUCCEED especially American English to succeed or progress in a particular way
SYN get on:
8. SEX informal especially American English to kiss and touch someone in a sexual way
9. make out like a bandit American English informal to get or win a lot of money: